Filibuster Cartoons
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled his plan to reform the Canadian senate this week. For years Harper has advocated making the Senate an elected body, but since becoming Prime Minister he’s remained coy as to how exactly he plans to bring this about.
To supporters, this week’s reform proposal was very mild. Harper announced that from henceforth, terms of senators will be limited to eight years, rather than until they reach age 75, as the rule is now. Of course, the term limits will not apply to incumbent senators, only ones chosen after the bill is passed.
Assuming Harper replaces all of the Senate’s 75-year-old retirees with elected senators, it will take until 2015 for the Canadian Senate to hold an elected majority. Not 100% elected mind you, just a 50% plus one majority.
